Vent net

ABSTRACT

A net for covering an air duct is disclosed. The Vent net has a frame and is meant to prevent objects from falling into the duct.

PRIORITY

The present application claims priority to co-pending United States Provisional Application 60/850,485 filed Oct. 10, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of products used in association with heating or air conditioning ducts. In particular, the present invention is directed to a device that is adapted to fit over the wall or floor openings for such ducts to prevent objects from falling into the air ducts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded plan view illustrating the installation of the present invention in a floor vent.

FIG. 6 is an assembled plan view illustrating the present invention installed in a floor vent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment thereof. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many obvious modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

The present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 is directed to a device to prevent objects from falling into heat and/or air conditioning ducts and/or air intakes/return supply ducts. The Vent Net 10 comprises a generally rectangular top frame 12, and an internal frame 13 connected to the top frame 12. The Vent Net 10 further comprises a net 14 connected to the top frame 12 by means of weld, adhesive, staples or nails. Alternatively, the top frame 12 and the net 14 may be manufactured as one piece. The top frame 12 is generally rectangular in nature. The size and shape of the frame 12, although illustrated as rectangular, is determined by the size and shape of the particular duct opening to which the Vent Net 10 will be applied. The frame 12 can be fabricated from any appropriate material including, but not limited to aluminum, tin, other metals, plastic, PVC or rubber.

The net 14 is attached to the top frame 12. The net 14 can be fabricated from any appropriate netting material. The mesh size of the net 14 is determined by the size of the objects from which one wishes to protect the heating or air conditioning system.

The Vent Net 10 is placed into the opening 16 of the air duct. The register or return grills 18 of the air duct opening will be installed as normal over the Vent Net 10. It is also contemplated that the Vent Net 10 could be secured to the duct itself rather than as a cover over the duct.

After installation, the vent 10 will capture any objects that fall through the openings in the grill 18. It will be a simple matter to remove the grill 18 and then remove the objects from the vent net 10.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing merely describes an embodiment of the present invention and many obvious modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A device for capturing objects that may fall into a heating, air conditioning, air intake or return duct comprising: (a) a frame comprising an upper portion defining an opening approximately the size of an opening into the duct and a lower portion connected to the upper portion; and (b) a net that surrounds the lower portion of the frame and attaches to the upper portion of the frame whereby the net comprises a mesh sized to capture objects that may fall into the duct; whereby the device is adapted to be received into the duct under a grill over the opening.
 2. The device of claim 1 whereby the device is further adapted to be held in place by the grill.
 3. The device of claim 1 whereby the device is adapted to connect directly to the duct. 